Samsonov is getting close to 3

Far better plan than to empty out the cupboard of young players, prospects, and picks for players that will be here for 1 year!

I agree with this. On a side note, I dont think it'll happen bc Kravtsov is a complete unknown, but I really hope the rangers dont just stick Kakko on the 3rd line, give him a season to be 1 top 6 RW and play with some talented players.

Id think the 3rd line here would be Strome w/ Milano and Krav. Kakko on 2nd line w/ Chytl and Kreider.

My mindset was more to balance the lineup. Get Kravtsov up and running by having him play on a stronger line. With more experience (especially with Chytil), Kakko could hold his own better with that 3rd line combo than Kravtsov would.

Kakko may be more highly regarded, but Kravtsov was also a Top 10 Pick. Figured this was the best layout to get them both up and running.

How would that make sense?

His Qualifying Offer was supposed to be $2.4M. The Caps wouldn't even retain him for that amount.

But someone else is going to come out and pay even more than that? At a time where his leverage took a major hit?

He could make more than I posted for him. That's fine.

But no reason to think it will be close to $3M.

Still honestly kinda shocked that the Caps didn't qualify him - he's young enough that you have to think he's got something more, and even if they're going all in on Kuemper his QO at $2.4M isn't an insane number to pay a backup goalie.

I think he gets close to $2M (i mean, getting $900K is less than the expiring deals for Phoenix Copley and Collin Delia) but yeah, he's only getting $3M if someone gets incredibly desperate.

GMs are insane. Watch and see